Where Are You on the Discipleship Trail?

INTRO: Albert Einstein famously quipped, “A picture is worth 1000 words.” Have you heard that? I think that, in many cases, this is true because pictures can encompass levels of detail that our minds may not otherwise be able to envision.

For example: If you were looking at floor plans for a home, it’s much better to see the layout than to just have a paragraph describing the rooms, their dimensions, and how they fit together.

I believe that this is true when we think about our walk as Disciples of Jesus. Words are important, so we don’t throw them out. But, at times the path of following Jesus can seem hard to identify. Furthermore, our perspective is often blurred by life circumstances and we can easily get off course. Finding our way back is a whole other set of challenges without a picture of our purpose.

When Jesus started the church, it was to achieve the mission of making disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20). Their gatherings, mission work, and service were all part of what it took to develop believers into mature followers of Jesus who would be faithful in taking up Christ’s mission and living it out.

Sadly, the church in America has taken on a bit of a consumer mindset. In fact, and I’m not trying to point fingers here, but - Many church attenders today look at the church like they look at a restaurant. If they are in the mood for preaching, they’ll go to preaching. If they have other things they want to get done, they try a faster option and pick up a small group or an online message.

But church was never meant to be a menu of activities. Just like the Bible is not a buffet that we pick and choose from, the church is intended to be an organism made up of Christians who are walking together on a pathway. Think of the church as the trellis that you, a vine, grow up. Without the trellis, you will be a mess, maybe experiencing some growth, but not producing much fruit. That’s why I am presenting to you today, a map called the Discipleship Trail.

This map is not perfect; just like it’s impossible to use human language to accurately describe God, there are few pictures that fully capture the idea of Christian discipleship. This map is not a formula or process for discipleship. Rather, it’s a paradigm for cultivating a culture here at LRBC where healthy disciples are formed. The difference is that, even though there are 4 trail markers on the map, they are not sites that you pass by, they are cumulative actions that shape and strengthen our faith.

Let me give you an overview:

The first thing I want you to notice is that we cannot see the end of the trail. In fact, we will not finish the trail until we breathe our last breath on earth and our first in heaven.

Next, I want you to notice that there are dangers and perils along the way. There are distractions, and temptations along the trail.

The trail is not perfectly straight, for in this sinful world discipleship cannot be accomplished with a blindfold on.

There are steep parts, and parts where we must trust in the map.

There are parts of the trail where we need the help of others- for company when the trail is lonely. For guidance from more experienced hikers when the trail is hard.

And yes, there are 4 trail markers- areas that we can see which let us know we are on the right path.

The first is Conversion - that’s how you get on the trail. In John 14:6 “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Likewise in Matthew 7:14, Jesus said “14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

The second is Community. This is where we learn together. You and I need each other - to encourage, to hold accountable, to teach, to correct. There is not category in the NT for a Christian apart from a local church. We are not intended to walk alone.

The third is Capabilities. These are the gifts that God has given us that we can serve one another and the world in order to shine the light of the Gospel. The church is intended to be a place where everyone can sharpen their skills and learn how to employ them for the sake of our Lord.

Fourthly is Continued Growth. This is where we learn how to invest our lives uniquely in the season and place where God has called us. Part of this is learning how to lead others down the Discipleship Trail. For some, it’s learning how to mentor others, pursue ministry, or head to the mission field.

Another way to say this is to persevere. As long as you are breathing, God has a job for you.

Over the next several weeks, we are going to take a deep dive into what it truly means to be disciples of Jesus. My prayer and goal is that together we will take intentional steps toward becoming healthy, growing followers of Christ. And as God’s Spirit works powerfully among us, my hope is that we won’t just learn about discipleship but actually build a Christ-centered culture—one that glorifies God and overflows in making new disciples.

We begin with an evaluative question: Where Are You on the Discipleship Trail?

Open your bibles to 2 Corinthians 13. When you’ve found your place, stand if you are able as we read the Word of God together.

(READ)

In the closing of this letter, the apostle Paul is urging the church in Corinth to really get serious about their faith. The Corinthian church had a number of problems, but before Paul came to them again, he urged them in an urgent plea. Look with me at v. 5 (READ)

This is a pretty abrupt statement, but I believe it is our starting point.

ILL: Have you ever been to a theme park? When you go to Dollywood or Carowinds, you can get a map to help you navigate. The thing is, unless you know where you are, that map won’t do much good. You need to know your bearings so you can take the best next steps.

That’s true for us here in LRBC in 2025. You see, I imagine that for many of you here this morning, you may be disinclined to this map. You might be comfortable where you are or feel like you’ve traveled this trail and have no need for a map. And there are some here that I can testify to your Christian maturity. But is it possible that you are here and you are deceived about where you are?

I was talking to a young man the other week and he asked me, “How can I know if I am truly a Christian?” He said, I read 1 John 5:12 “12 He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.”, but how do I know?

He wanted assurance. He wanted to see evidence. Here’s what I told him: In the same way that you can tell if a vegetable seed you planted will yield a crop. The evidence comes throughout the season. First, the little leaves. Then the blossoms- both good signs of potential fruit. Finally at the harvest, you see the fruit ripe and ready to enjoy.

The Discipleship Trail gives us trail markers that help us evaluate where we are in our Christian walk. So we are going to spend the rest of our time understanding how we evaluate our lives.

Now, before we talk about what biblical evaluation is, we need to clear away some of the confusion. Because if we’re holding onto the wrong measuring stick, we’ll end up with the wrong conclusions about our spiritual health. So let’s debunk a few common myths about what it means to evaluate your Christian walk.

Myths About Evaluating Our Christian Walk

“I’m doing fine as long as I’m busy at church.” – Activity ≠ spiritual maturity. You can be busy for God and still neglect being with God.

“Spiritual growth is measured by feelings.” – Feeling close to God is good, but faithfulness is about trust and obedience, even when emotions aren’t high.

“As long as I don’t sin ‘big,’ I must be growing.” – Growth isn’t just the absence of scandalous sin; it’s the presence of Christlike love, holiness, and fruit.

“I can grow without community.” – Lone-ranger Christianity is a myth. Scripture points to discipleship happening in the context of the body.

“Knowledge equals maturity.” – Knowing more about the Bible doesn’t guarantee obedience to it. Application and transformation matter.

“I’ll grow eventually—there’s no rush.” – Spiritual growth is not automatic. Time doesn’t mature you—intentionality and dependence on Christ do.

“Comparing myself to others is a good measure.” – Measuring yourself against others leads either to pride or despair. The true measure is Christlikeness.

“Struggles or trials mean I’m failing.” – In reality, trials are often God’s refining tools for deeper growth. Struggle ≠ failure.

“Spiritual growth is fast and obvious.” – Growth is usually slow, steady, and often only noticeable over time. Patience is part of the process.

“I can’t really evaluate myself—only God knows.” – While God sees the heart, Scripture also calls believers to examine themselves (2 Cor. 13:5).

So if those are the myths, then what’s the reality? What is God actually calling us to when He tells us to examine ourselves? Paul gives us the answer here in 2 Corinthians 13. He isn’t leaving us in the dark, he shows us how to use the right metrics for evaluation.

The Biblical Perspective of Evaluating our Christian Walk

Now this all came up because the Corinthians actually asked Paul to prove that the power of Christ was in him. And so as he responded, he told them that the evaluation he is asking of them is one that he himself has passed. (6)

For Paul, this went back to his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus. You see, after this encounter, Paul had to decide whether he believed Jesus enough to give up his former life and embrace a new life as a minister and missionary of Jesus. His life- the signposts of faithfulness along the way, demonstrated that He was walking the Christian walk. He used the metrics of a transformed life, looked at the fruit of his life, and saw where he was in his walk.

So, if we are going to evaluate our Christian walk, then we have to use the right metrics. What are the right metrics? Allow me rephrase our question in line with Paul’s metrics:

Do you believe the Gospel enough to REPENT from your sin and FOLLOW CHRIST?

Examination means three things: Agreement, Alignment, and Application.

Let’s break this down: What does it mean to repent?

Repent means to turn away from sin AND turn to Jesus. Both.

Another way to look at this is that We must AGREE with God about everything.

We agree with Him on what is good and what is not.

We agree with Him on who He is and who we are.

We agree with Him on the purpose of life and reality.

And if we AGREE with God, it necessarily means that we ALIGN ourselves to God’s Word.

The standard for life and godliness is written in these pages

Therefore, we seek to know His Word, understand His Word.

We seek to grow into the image and example of Christ, for He has called us to FOLLOW HIM.

And if We AGREE and ALIGN, then naturally we seek to APPLY God’s Word.

Are we seeking His Kingdom first- above all else? (Matt. 6:33)

Are we living His will over our own will? (Matt. 6:9-13)

Are we serving one another, loving one another?

Are we upholding God’s standard of righteousness?

Are we investing in His church - laying up our treasures in Heaven?

Are we preparing others to walk in the faith?

Are we proclaiming the Gospel?

You see, in v. 5b, Paul asks, “Do you not recognize this about yourselves?”

IOW, If you are following Christ, there should be evidence!

ILL: I remember talking to a guy who obviously worked out… a lot. Now, I know a lot about working out. I know what a bench press is, how to use different exercise equipment...but that’s not the same as working out. And you know what? I can tell it when I look in the mirror.

In the same way, we can know about God’s Word. We can know about the Discipleship Trail. But knowing about it is not the same as being on it. It’s not the same as walking that path and seeing God transform you and others along the trail.

I’m reminded of James 2:19 “19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.”

John gives us a simple test in his epistle:

1 John 5:1–3 NASB95

1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.

Look back at the Discipleship Trail.

Where are you? How confident are you?

Do you believe God’s Word enough to repent and follow Jesus?

There are some of you here that you have trusted Jesus for salvation, but you are just hanging our over here at the trailhead. Maybe you have never had someone lead you to the next trail marker.

Or perhaps you find yourself distracted- maybe weary and you have taken a seat over here…

Or, you might not even be on the trail. Maybe you are in the parking lot- you’ve heard about the trail, you have your hiking boots, but you’ve never taken the first step.

Can I encourage you this morning? Let’s Hit the Trail! Let’s walk together, let’s cheer one another on, let’s persevere!

Discuss: How does thinking about discipleship as a “trail” rather than a “menu of activities” change your perspective on the Christian life and the church?

Discuss: How can we know the difference between knowing about God’s Word and actually living it out?

Discuss: Where would you place yourself on the Discipleship Trail right now: trailhead, distracted, resting, or walking steadily?